Guest Blogger - Kacey Smith

First I’d like to say thanks to Marilu for inviting me to be a guest blogger.

So, my first release comes out soon with Amber Quill Press. Obviously, I want you to buy the book, but why would you want to? Well, if you like stories of magic, stories that revolve around the paranormal, heroes and heroines that have a little snark in their attitudes and aren’t afraid to show it, then I think you’ll like my story.

It’s a short story and yet it took me a long time to write. I didn’t know if I could even finish the story, to be honest. I didn’t know for sure where I was going to take it and even if I really COULD take it the direction it seemed to be going.

What I’m ‘tap-dancing’ around here is that I’ve written something I didn’t think I’d ever really write – a true ménage à trois. And yet, that’s exactly where this story started going.

I wrote two strong appealing heroes and then couldn’t choose between them for the heroine. I figured if I couldn’t choose, then neither could she, so why force it? Why not let her have them both?

Well, for one thing, that’s not something I have personal experience with – at all! All of the relationships I’ve had in my life have involved me and one other person, not multiple people. I started to wonder if I really could write this story with both heroes “winning” the heroine.

I finally just took a deep breath, and let the story flow. It turned out to be a good thing. (Grin)

When I’d finished the story, I sent it to a couple of trusted friends to see what they thought – they both gave me different ideas on how to make it better. I took what worked for me and left the rest alone.

Then, I bit the bullet and sent the story in to a publisher that I’ve been reading for some time. Once a year they sponsor a contest to find new authors – the rest of the year they’re closed to outside submissions. I honestly didn’t believe I would be one of the winners, but I thought I’d at least get some good ideas in the rejection (a whole ‘nother topic, right Marilu? (Grin) )

So, I read the guidelines, followed them and sent my entry in to Amber Quill Press. Then I waited, fretted, worried and wondered. When the day finally arrived for the winners to be announced, I HAUNTED my inbox and the website waiting for the announcement of the winners to appear.

Around 6PM that night, I sent an email to my “bestest bud” saying, “Well, I don’t think I won because I haven’t heard from them.” Then I went BACK to my email and THERE IT WAS! The subject simply said, “Amber Heat Wave Contest.” I had to force myself to open it – just positive I’d see bad news (hey, I’m SUCH a pessimist!) The first few words of that email said, “It is my pleasure…” and I knew at that point I was one of the winners!

There were over 200 entries and they picked MINE (and seven others)! Wow. Euphoria! Joy! All those amazing emotions zooming around my brain…

That started my journey to publication with Amber Quill Press – and that journey comes to fruition on June 15 with the release of Tales from the Graveyard Shift: Ghouls.

I hope you enjoy it.

Hugs,

Kacey

PS – I was recently reviewed by Bitten by Books – here’s a link to that review: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=220 and if you’d like to see the cover and read an excerpt, please visit my website at www.kaceysmith.com